The Captive by Glorified

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Epilogue

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Epilogue

I expect there are not many weddings arranged and hallowed by the Vala themselves, non that I knew of anyway, but ours was to be one of them. My father wrote to us expanding on what Eonwe had said. The city would be made ready for our nuptials we would have to do nothing expect send invitations to whom we wished to attend. My father said he looked forward to meeting his soon to be son in law who had fae blood also he had been told.

 

The day came and the city seemed to sparkle and shimmer with our happiness it seemed to us. From its clear quartz buildings to its golden minaret capped towers of gold, everything was charged with the energy of our bliss. The marriage ceremony was held in the open on a green sward outside the city. A small dais had been prepared and I walked through the hushed gathering of waiting Vala, Maia and Eldar.

 

I saw some familiar faces Finrod and Amarie and some of our loyal household but all my attention was riveted on the dais where Elrond stood all in white, a simple crown of leaves and blossom on his head. He looked back at me tears shining in his eyes. I walked slowly aware of the gauzy, translucent gown that fluttered and billowed out in a long train behind me. Diamonds had been threaded through my hair and a circlet of fresh blossom crowned me. I reached the dais and Elrond took my hand whispering how beautiful I was and there before the assembled great and good of Valinor we took our vows declaring our love and future together.

 

It felt strange to have more than half of the guests appearing as shining transparent gauzy beings with the others corporeal and solid. Galadriel and Celeborn came and Galadriel seemed much less imperious than she had first appeared to me, perhaps the assembled powers daunted her or perhaps she was letting us take centre stage. I don’t know but I was grateful for her civility. When she came she looked at me warmly and said,

“So you chose to to love him”,

I smiled warmly back and laughed and she laughed also. I was courteous to Celeborn, and he glossed over our past altercation with erudite civility, learnt by years being of married to Galadriel probably I thought.

 

When a tall dark muscular ellon approached us, on his face I saw the familiar features of Maglor and his family; Celebrimbor. I was glad that someone at least was representative of the Feanorian house. We had sent an invitation but we understood they would probably not come given the ban they were under in Formenos. Celebrimbor, looked at me searching my face and gave into my hands a glittering star on a plaque, sigil of his house, a pledge of loyalty and friendship between both our houses Elrond said. But I took it as sign that Maglor had accepted the union of Elrond and myself. I wished happiness for him and all of his kin. I truly did and in my heart I could not hold any hurt, pain or resentment for Maglor so great was my bliss and happiness that day.

 

Of course Celebrian was indisposed and returned the invitation curtly to us. We took no offence knowing we would be expected to do the same on receipt of an invitation of her up coming nuptials. I looked around it was an engrossing scene as as veritable gods and celestial entities walked amongst the more corporeal guests. It made for interesting small talk. I saw Finrod gamely trying to chat to a severe looking entity in grey robes his face hidden in a hooded cloak, surely Mandos. good luck with that I thought and sniggered to myself.

 

That night Elrond when at long last took me to his bed he did so solemnly, reverentially, cupping my face he repeated our vows again. I saw saw the passion flare in his eyes and there in the city of bells we made our bond with a slow deliberate rhythm that lovers have known since time immemorial. Looking into one another's eyes we sealed our minds also, and my heart already his rejoiced, and it seemed to me I was no longer the person I had been. There was no longer I but we. It was as if we were new come into the world and by this the act of creation we were bringing into being a new order a new world. In a strange way we were, so few of our kind existed, and the maia, fae blood that ran in us both hummed to a different tune now we were joined. A new hybrid of being we called it. The Powers had blessed not only our union but our natures of that we were sure.

 

Less than six months later, new returnees began to arrive, natured like myself, with the strains of maia and mortal blood, some had chosen to stay where they were in middle earth unwilling to give up their mortal coil, lives ensconced and settled where they were. Others came and Elrond and I welcomed them. The new Imladris became a home for the them and as it always had been before, a place for weary travellers to rest and recuperate. When two particular returnee’s, came the twin sons of Elrond and Celebrian they were a bounty they neither of had them sort to hope for. I stood aside to allow their parents to welcome them, that moment was theirs and theirs alone to experience.

 

One evening after a busy day getting new returnees settled, in New Imladris, Elrond turned to me,

“Do you remember when we first met?” he asked,

“Yes I heard you singing a song of power over your valley in the old Imladris. I was flying high above in the skies and it drew me to you. I felt as if you were speaking directly to me. What was the song about I said?”.

It was song of restoration and healing, but also was I asking for a sign for a brighter future”.

“Aah!” I said and we both laughed.